Hiawatha, IA vs Kalona, IA

Hiawatha, IA and Kalona, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Hiawatha scores 74 while Kalona scores 75 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hiawatha is $846/month compared to $819/month in Kalona — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kalona has cheaper rent, Hiawatha actually has lower median home values ($210,200 vs $221,300).

Median household income in Hiawatha is $67,628 compared to $72,766 in Kalona (-7.1%). While Kalona is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hiawatha spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, more than the 13.5% in Kalona.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 51°F). Hiawatha receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 35.7" in Kalona.